[pixelat3d]

I think you may be proving the point I was attempting to make ;)

You do your best within the constraints you're given, which is what is being said in your example. You are welcome to make your arguments for or against a decision (as far as office politics allow), but just as there is a breaking point for you being told to do something you feel is "incorrect," there is a breaking point where you become "the guy who always gives them a hard time."

Soft skills are important as technical when you're working with others. You have to pick and choose your battles. Don't confuse a platitude with a literal decree. Does that make more sense?

[dilyevsky]

Ok now you're turning this into a semantic argument. My view is you either did your best or you didn't because there were things (perhaps outside your control) that prevented you or whatever it may be, and hey - that's OK, but I just don't go around lying to myself or whoever else that I did the best I could when that happens.